IRON CUMBERLAND

Australian

1973-87

Broken Hill Shipping pty Ltd.

21,384 gross tons, 13,977 net, 37,675 dwt.

Lbd: 196.24 x 26.55 x 11.378 metres.

on356551

Bulk carrier built as the World Achilles by Hellenic Shipyards, Skaramanga Greece for Elmo Shipping Co, Pireaus.

She was a BC35 class bulk carrier, british designed and of seven holds. Machinery consisted of six cylinder 2SA Sulzer oil engine - H Cegielski, Poland manufacture, 12,000 brake horsepower.

Speed 15 knots on 38.5 tonnes of fuel per steaming day.

Crew 34.

Early 1974 time chartered by BHP until September 1974 when purchased outright.

October 1974 transferred to County Shipping Co, Hong Kong, a BHP subsidiary concern. Registered in Hong Kong and renamed Iron Cumberland in November 1974 after being converted to Australian conditions as Sasebo, Japan.

Maiden Australian voyage ex Sasebo 18 November arriving at Yampi Sound 26 November 1974 under Captain Hart and a crew of 53. Loaded ore for Kwinana and Newcastle. Over the next 12 years she maintained that service as well as taking in ports of Japan, Singapore Korea and New Zealand.

After 12 years service, without mishap, she had carried over 7.5 million tonnes of cargo and ultimately declared reduntant May 1986. 25 November 1986 sold to Glentara Ltd, Hong Kong and handed over at Kwinana. Renamed Cumberlande, she steamed for Newcastle and loaded ore for Japan.

Not lost to Australian ports, she continued loading export materials until her final voyage 27 May 1987 when she departed Newcastle with lead concentrates, having previously loaded ferro manganese from Bell Bay Tasmania. Bound for New Orleans, she foundered North-East of Pitcairn Island (23.50 S, 127.50 W) after taking in water in the two forward holds.

At the onset of instability with the flooding, her Master opted to return to Newcastle with pumps at full operation, however after 2 days the order was given to abandon ship, her Indian crew of 27 taking to the lifeboats and being rescured by the containship 'ACT 5'

DETAILS: Flotilla Australia

Photo Credits: The Late Don Ross Collection